THT - 4/5/23 - The Hockey Aficionado Pat McAfee & Boston Connor

CONGRATS to the Vegas Golden Knights and their fans on winning the Stanley Cup. Rupper joins the show just minutes from a flight back from Sin City & the guys recap the Final & all of the news coming out as the season comes to an end. From injuries, rumors, & front office/coaching hires the guys hit on everything happening. SHAHTAHT our sponsor for this episode American Dream Nut Butter @AmericanDreamNB  https://www.americandreamnutbutter.com/discount/THT

The hockey icon himself Paul Biz Nasty Bissonnette jumps on to chat with the boys about the Vegas Golden Knight's 2 game lead in the Cup Finals so far. Biz shares some incredible tales about working with the Great One Wayne Gretzky, playing with Mario Lemieux & Sidney Crosby, & his thoughts on the Finals. There's some offseason conversation too as Biz has some thoughts on former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas going to Pittsburgh & Mike Babcock taking the job behind the bench in Columbus. SHAHTAHT our sponsor for this episode American Dream Nut Butter @AmericanDreamNB  https://www.americandreamnutbutter.com/discount/THT

Both the Eastern & Western Conference Finals have been 1 sided affairs and the guys wonder if either of the losing teams can turn the momentum and save their season. The Jamie Benn hit & suspension have everybody buzzing. Did the league get it right? The Florida Panthers are the playoff's most incredible story and have 2 potential MVP candidates but who deserves it more? The guys play a game of What IF when it comes to the last 2 games of the season and how different things could have gone for multiple teams. Finally a massive article has hit the internet on the troubles in the Pittsburgh front office and behind the scenes. With Kyle Dubas interviewing for the GM job with the Penguins the guys talk about the fit and if he can turn things around there or if it will be the same as Toronto. SHAHTAHT our sponsor for this episode American Dream Nut Butter @AmericanDreamNB  https://www.americandreamnutbutter.com/discount/THT

It's the Dallas Stars & the Vegas Golden Knights. It's the Carolina Hurricanes & the Florida Panthers. It's the Conference Finals that no one saw coming & the boys are all about it. The Arizona Coyotes got BAD news when it comes to their arena & potential future in Arizona. Mr. Game 7 Justin Williams joins the show to chat about his career, his 3 Stanley Cup wins, his phenomenal game 7 stats & mentality, & the Carolina Hurricanes playoff run. Justin shared what it was like to play with Rod Brind'Amour winning a cup & then returning to Raleigh to play for him as he became the coach. SHAHTAHT our sponsor for this episode American Dream Nut Butter @AmericanDreamNB  https://www.americandreamnutbutter.com/discount/THT

Business has picked up in the 2nd round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. There's drama in Toronto as they're down in the series to Florida and jobs & careers are on the line. A veteran Carolina Hurricanes team has controlled the series so far against New Jersey & the boys debate if the Devils can get back into it. A surprise goaltending performance in Vegas has the Golden Knights up on the Oilers and has the guys debating the high scoring games in the 2nd round. The Stars & Kraken have been lighting the lamp in an evenly matched series. The conversation also gets into the controversy surround the Draft lottery & Connor Bedard going to the Chicago Blackhawks. SHAHTAHT our sponsor for this episode American Dream Nut Butter @AmericanDreamNB  https://www.americandreamnutbutter.com/discount/THT

Welcome to That's Hockey Talk LIVE. We're talking EVERYTHING happening ON & OFF the ice. In this episode Rupper is in tahn and doing the show live with Nick in the Thunderdome. The guys get into the 2nd round of the playoffs and react to some of the surprise upsets in the 1st round. Former goaltender 7 current ESPN hockey analyst Kevin Weekes joins the conversation to talk playing goal, playoffs, & some potential offseason rumors. Boston Connor calls in to chat after the Bruins loss & his rediscovered love for the game. THE hockey aficionado himself Pat McAfee jumps into the conversation & reacts to the playoffs, hockey culture, & expansion. SHAHTAHT our sponsor for this episode American Dream Nut Butter @AmericanDreamNB  https://www.americandreamnutbutter.com/discount/THT

We're halfway through the 1st round of the Stanley Cup playoffs and with no sweeps we have incredible games in every series to chat about. The guys hit each series & dive into who has impressed & who needs to show more at this time of the year. The big conversation on the internet has been the officiating and Nick, Gumpy, & Rupper talk about how they think it has gone & what could be done to make it better & easier for the officials to get the right calls made. Finally they share their thoughts on some surprise picks for how they see some series ending.

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs have started in incredible fashion with multiple upsets and story lines emerging left & right. The guys react to every series opening games and what they expect next. 2X Stanley Cup Champion & New Jersey Devils legend Bobby Holik joins the show to chat about coming to America from the Czech Republic, his career with the Devils, & his thoughts on this year's playoff battles. Bobby speaks openly and honestly & doesn't pull any punches in this electric conversation. SHAHTAHT our sponsor for this episode American Dream Nut Butter @AmericanDreamNB  https://www.americandreamnutbutter.com/discount/THT

We are a few days away from the puck drop on the Stanley Cup Playoffs & tensions are high. The seeding is almost set & the format is taking shape as to who will matchup with who as the boys went through & picked their favorites to make it to the Finals. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been eliminated for the first time in 16 seasons & Nick is not taking it well. Gumps shares his thoughts on the west & the battle ahead for his Dallas Stars, while Rupper shocks everyone with his picks. Vegas Golden Knights insider Gary Lawless joined the boys to talk about the run to the top of the Western conference & what lies ahead for the team from Sin City. Former Maple Leaf & radio show host Carlo Colaiacovo joined the show next to share his thoughts on the Leafs season & what a playoff run would mean for the team who have seen their fair share of disappointments. SHAHTAHT our sponsor for this episode American Dream Nut Butter @AmericanDreamNB  https://www.americandreamnutbutter.com/discount/THT

The playoffs are RIGHT around the corner and the wildcard race is as close as it can possibly be in BOTH conferences. The Penguins, Panthers, & Islanders are all fighting for 2 spots in the east and the guys give their thoughts on who gets it done. The West still has a lot to be decided from seeding and the potential matchups are juicy. Rupper shares a story on his latest trip on the NYC train. Gumps & Nick have a solid idea for emergency back up goaltenders for each team. The Hockey Aficionado Pat McAfee joins the conversation and comes up with a brilliant idea to course-correct the Arizona Coyotes. Boston Connnor comes in hot with the Bruins chatter. SHAHTAHT our sponsor for this episode American Dream Nut Butter @AmericanDreamNB  https://www.americandreamnutbutter.com/discount/THT